Penn Forest Seniors Race To The Front In Carbon Games

After two days of events, Penn Forest Township has taken a lead in the Carbon County Senior Games.

Penn Forest holds the lead with 20 points, Nesquehoning is second with 14, Palmerton third with 10 and Jim Thorpe and Lehighton have five apiece. Other communities competing have yet to score.

Yesterday, the games -- which have people 60 or older competing in events -- held its bowling and pool competitions.

Ross Owens of Lehighton bowled a 581 in three games to claim a gold medal. Will Hatton of Penn Forest finished second with a 573 and Sam Todt of Palmerton took a bronze with his 571.

In the women's bracket, Alvesta Goodrich of Palmerton won the gold medal with a 508, Anna Mae Murphy of Nesquehoning won the silver with a 501 and Marge Mooney of Palmerton won the bronze with a 475.

Teams are awarded five points for a first place, three points for a second place and one point for a third place.

In the pool competition, John Tout of Nesquehoning won the gold medal in the men's bracket, Frank Burns of Penn Forest finished second, and Jules Samitt of Penn Forest finished third. In the women's bracket, Vickie Pecha of Nesquehoning won the gold, Stephanie Kuritz of Palmerton won the silver and Anna Mae Murphy of Nesquehoning won the bronze.

Golf competition was held last Tuesday. Charles McHugh of Jim Thorpe won the gold in bracket for best gross scores. Vince Pirrucci and Frank Burns of Penn Forest finished second and third respectively.

In the bracket for net scores, Harry Guardiola finished first, Bill Shiner second and Joe Van Ulter third. All three men are from Penn Forest.

Today, the games holds its opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. at the tomb of Jim Thorpe along Route 903. Postal workers, led by the Jim Thorpe American Legion Color Guard, will carry a torch to Jim Thorpe High School. A ceremony will be held at the high school.

A basketball shoot, shuffleboard, horseshoes and Ping Pong will follow.

Tomorrow, the games will be held outside. A 100-yard dash, softball throw, one-mile walk, bean bag toss and bocci are scheduled.

The games close Thursday with darts, pinochle, checkers, bingo, polkas, two-step dancing and the jitterbug.